Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

The paragogic nun is not a literary device. Actually, since it adds nothing, it can't be a literary device per se. Rather, it is most likely a lingering archaic ending from earlier stages of the language. The paragogic nun only goes with vocalic subject suffixes and it is used sporadically.

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)

On 26/10/2012, at 4:48 PM, "Pere Porta" <pporta7 AT gmail.com> wrote:

No, Karl. In most of your examples the end nun is the so called "paragogic" nun. It adds nothing to the meaning of the word.  It is a literary "device"...

 

In 2Sa 17:17 we find יוכלו which has exactly the same meaning as יוכלון in Gn 43:32...

 

Heartly

 

Pere Porta

 

 

2012/10/26 K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>

Pere:

On Thu, Oct 25, 2012 at 9:25 PM, Pere Porta <pporta7 AT gmail.com> wrote:

(Karl)

 

I was just reading Job 15:28 and noticed the word ישכון and found myself asking, why shouldn’t it be the verb שכך with the plural -WN suffix?

 

(Pere)

First, Karl, the verb here is שכן and not שכך (nun, not kaph)

Second, -WN is not here a plural suffix

The nun in -WN belongs to the root; the .W- is a INfix (a letter inserted between kaph and nun)

Our verb (Job 15:28) is a singular form, not a plural one.

That was my first reaction, but then I tried to fit it into the context, and it doesn’t make sense. 

 

(Karl)

But that leads to my real question, what are the rules concerning the -WN plural verbal suffix? It is used for both second and third person plural. Is there something special about it? What rules govern its usage? A quick look shows that it is used 12 times in Genesis for both second and third person plural.

(Pere)

 Are you sure that -WN is a plural verbal suffix?

Yes.

 

Bring here, please, some samples thereof so that we can follow up dealing with this discussion.

Genesis 3:3–4, 18:28–32, 32:20, 41:43, 43:32, 44:1, 23, Exodus 1:22, 3:12 

 

Friendly,

 

Pere Porta

 (Barcelona, Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)

I see you took this off list. You may put this response on list if you wish.

Karl W. Randolph. 

--
Pere Porta

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